249 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting the current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.
Briefly lift or depress the cruise control
lever.
The current speed is set.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.Setting a higher speed
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow1 (
page 248) to in-
crease vehicle speed in increments of
5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h).
The new speed is set.
The stored speed is displayed in the
multifunction display for approximately
5 seconds (
page 248), and one or
two segments around the stored speed
come on in the speedometer
(
page 245).Setting a lower speed
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow2 (
page 248) to de-
crease vehicle speed in increments of
5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h).
The new speed is set.
The stored speed is displayed in the
multifunction display for approximately
5 seconds (
page 248), and one or
two segments around the stored speed
come on in the speedometer
(
page 245).
iIf you do not take your foot off the
accelerator completely, the following
message will appear in the multifunc-
tion display: Distronic
overrideThe distance to a slower moving vehi-
cles in front of you will not be set. Your
vehicle speed will then be determined
only by the accelerator pedal position.
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does
not deactivate Distronic. After brief ac-
celeration (e.g. for passing), the cruise
control will resume the last speed set.
iWhen you use the cruise control lever
to decelerate, the brakes will be ap-
plied to support deceleration.
In addition, the transmission will auto-
matically downshift on long downhill
grades.
250 Controls in detailDriving systemsFine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
Faster
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow4 (
page 248).Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow4 (
page 248).
Distronic is activated and set to the last
stored speed.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.Deactivating Distronic
There are several ways to deactivate the
Distronic system:
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow3 (
page 248).
or
Step on the brake pedal.
Distronic will be deactivated. The last
speed set will be stored into memory.
Warning!
G
The speed stored in memory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to the pre-
set speed could cause an accident and/or
serious injury to you and others.
iThe following message will appear in
the multifunction display for approxi-
mately 5 seconds:Distronic offThe last stored speed is deleted when
you turn off the engine.
307 Operation
Driving instructions
E 350, E 350 4MATIC
E 500, E 500 4MATIC
E 350 (Appearance Package*)
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“H”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 130 mph (210 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
E350(SportPackage*)
E500(SportPackage*)
E55AMG
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“ZR”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of above 149 mph (240 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
E 55 AMG: An electronic speed limiter pre-
vents your vehicle from exceeding a speed
of 155 mph (250 km/h).E3504MATIC (Sport Package*)
1
E5004MATIC (Sport Package*)
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Y”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 186 mph (300 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to positionN. Try
to keep the vehicle under control by cor-
rective steering action.
1Not available in Canada.iFor information on speed ratings for
winter tires, see “Winter driving”
(page 355).
For additional general information on
tire speed markings on tire sidewall,
see “Tire speed rating” (
page 352).
iFor more information on driving with
snow chains, see “Snow chains”
(page 356).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.
386 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Low
Battery
Conven. functions
temporarily
unavailable
The battery has insufficient voltage
and can no longer supply conve-
nience functions such as the rear
window defroster.
As soon as the on-board voltage is sufficient,
the consumers will switch on again.
Please note:
Conven. functions
available again
On-board voltage is sufficient; the
consumers will switch on again.
Cruise control
Drive to workshop
Cruise control or Distronic* is
malfunctioning.
Have the cruise control or Distronic*
checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Distronic
External interference
Reactivate
The Distronic* is switched off and is
temporarily unavailable.
Try activating the Distronic* again later.
Drive to workshop
The Distronic* is malfunctioning or
the display is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
403 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
G
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
The displays for several systems have
malfunctioned. Some systems them-
selves may also have malfunctioned.
Continue driving with added caution.
When the display is malfunctioning,
warnings and malfunction messages
might not be displayed.
Have the electronic systems checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
±
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
Certain electronic systems are unable to
relay information to the control system.
The following systems may have failed:
Coolant temperature display
Tachometer
Cruise control display
Have the electronic systems checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
J
Doors open
You are attempting to drive with one or
more doors open.
Close the doors.
492 Technical termsCOMAND
(C
ockpit M
anagement and D
ata Sys-
tem)
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio and navi-
gation system, as well as other optional
equipment (CD changer, telephone,
etc.).
Control system
The control system is used to call up
vehicle information and to change
component settings. Information and
messages appear in the multifunction
display. The driver uses the buttons on
the multifunction steering wheel to
navigate through the system and to ad-
just settings.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system for auto-
matically maintaining the vehicle speed
set by the driver.
Curb weight
(
page 350)Distronic*
A driving convenience cruise control
system which helps the driver maintain
a pre-selected speed:
If there is no vehicle directly ahead,
the system operates in the same
way as conventional ->cruise con-
trol.
If a slower moving vehicle is ahead,
Distronic will reduce your vehicle
speed to the extent permitted by re-
duced throttle and up to 20% brak-
ing power to maintain the preset
minimum following distance.
DOT
(Department of Transportation)
(
page 351)
Electrohydraulic brake system
Electronically controlled hydraulic
braking system for increased braking
safety and comfort.Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine pro-
duced.
Engine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction (vis-
cosity) of the oil at different tempera-
tures. The higher the temperature an
oil can tolerate without becoming thin,
or the lower the temperature it can tol-
erate without becoming viscous, the
better the viscosity.
ESP
®(Electronic S
tability Pr
ogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem’s threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRS
500 IndexCoolant
Anticorrosion/antifreeze mixing ratio
and quantity 489
Capacities 483
Checking coolant level 321
Messages in display 400, 401, 402
Temperature 311
Temperature indicator 152
Warning lamp 376
Cruise control 239, 492
Message in display 386
Cup holders 274
Cleaning 367
Curb weight 350
Customer Assistance Center see CAC
D
Date display, setting 171, 172
Daytime running lamp mode 144
Setting 172, 173
Deep water see Standing water
Defogging windshield 209, 224
Defrosting, Front 209, 223
Defrosting, Rear 200
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps 174
Interior lighting 175Department of Transportation see DOT
Diesel see Fuel
Difficulties
While driving 58
With starting 51
Digital clock see Clock
Digital speedometer 161
Dimensions, vehicle 480
Direction of rotation (tires) 327
Displays
Digital speedometer 161
Distronic* 245
Maintenance service indicator 358
Messages in display 395
Multifunction display 155
Outside temperature 155, 169
Symbol messages 395
Text messages 385
Vehicle status message memory 165
Vehicle system settings, Control
system 155
Distance to empty (Range), Trip
computer 180Distronic* 243, 492
Activating/deactivating 248
Cleaning system sensor 366
Control system 163
Distance warning function 252
Driving hints 253
Menu 247
Messages in display 386
Sensor cover 366
Warning and indicator lamps 246
Door
Entry lamps 150
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey 34,
108
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 35, 114
Message in display 403
Opening from inside/outside 119
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid) 289
Unlocking, Mechanical key 424
Door control panel 32
Door handle 32
DOT 351, 492
Drinking and driving 301
507 Index
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) 494
Manual headlamp mode see Headlamps
Manual shift program E 55 AMG 193
Deactivating 196
Maximum inflation pressure 351
Maximum load rating 351
Maximum loaded vehicle weight 351
Mechanical key 424
Memory function 494
Memory function see Seats
Menus see Control system menus
Messages in display see Multifunction dis-
play messages
Mirrors
Adjusting 45
Auto-dimming 197
Exterior rear view mirror 45
Exterior rear view mirror parking
positions 178, 198
Interior rear view mirror 45
MOExtended system* 340, 451
MOExtended tires* 477
MON 313
Motor Octane Number see MONMultifunction display 155, 494
Changing settings see Control system
menus and Control system sub-
menus
Selecting language 168
Multifunction display messages 385
ABS
Batteries 386, 395, 396
Brake fluid 399
Brake lamps 409
Brake pads 397
Check engine 375
Coolant 400, 401, 402
Cruise control 386
Distronic* 386
Door 403
Electrohydraulic brake system 397,
398
Engine oil 317, 404, 405, 406
ESP
®
388, 389
Fog lamps 409, 411
Fuel reserve tank 408
Headlamps 409, 410, 411
Hood 407
Key, SmartKey 408
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 407
Panorama roof with power tilt/sliding
panel* 414
Parking brake 398
Parking lamps 411
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* 414
Seat belts 414
SRS 415
Tailgate 416
Tele Aid 414
Telephone* 416
Tires 413
Turn signals 412
Windshield washer fluid 416
Multifunction steering wheel 26, 156,
494
Button operation 156
N
Navigation system
See separate COMAND operating
instructions 163
Net, parcel 274
Neutral gear position 186
Night security illumination 145
Normal occupant weight 351
Number, vehicle identification (VIN) 468